Newbie 220L

Hi Guys,
So I guess its time for me to start a thread on my new tank that's been running for 8 weeks now.

But first let me introduce myself. Name is Jan and I've been in the aquarium hobby for some time now. Only 'bathwater' tanks as you guys call it Tried and tested some different methods for planted setup but now the marine side looks really rewarding.

The tank I have running now have a total system volume of about 220L with the DT 180L and the sump 40L. Tank is almost a cube with length of 650mm, width 520mm and total height of DT 620mm( water at 540mm) more or less 220L total.

welcome to masa and the wonderful world of marines. great to have you converted over from bath water, now the real fun and learning starts. Marines can be amazingly rewarding but one never stops learning and the more you research and un derstand the better and more rewarding your tank will be

thats a lovely sized tank to start off with and the lights look great (good and bright) just watch out for heat transfer from that MH with it being so close to the tank.

looking at the photos there seems to be a little bit of growth on tyhe LR. I am not sure if this is getting worse or better (?) but id suggest taking some time before adding any more Live Stock untill you can get bthe algae under controll. You could perhaps add a lawnmower blennie (brilliant fish with great charactor) to help eat some of the algae for you.

Thanks for the Welcome @devesh.r.@crispin the algae growth does not seem to get worse nor better. I've cycled the tanks without the lights and the only algae that I've noticed are those on the LR. Since the lights are on for about 10hours per day the only new algae started growing on the glass and some on the substrate. Any specifics regarding the blennie, diet behaviour etc?

Thanks for the replies!

Last edited by a moderator: 26 Nov 2015

The problem is not the problem, the problem is your attitude about the problem.

I'm also a former bathwater man, but the bathwater tanks lose their appeal quite quickly when you start with marines.

Nice looking setup - keep an eye on the clam though. They are very sensitive to changes and normally a new system is prone to fluctations in parameters. Would suggest you post a couple of pics of the clam - especially if you notice any discoloration so that the forum guru's can give you some advice on what to do.

Enjoy your salty adventure!

The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea. ~Isak Dinesen

Those hermits are indeed not reef-safe. I had two in my tank many years ago. When they started seating my soft-corals, and got so big as my hands - I got rid of them. They do well in a FOWLR tank - but not in a reef tank. They can also move/knock your live rock around while looking for food.

They are great characters though. They each have their own "personality"!

When the time come around that you want to get rid of that hermit, let me know. I already got a Dardanus Megistos. Still small but they are the biggest of all hermits. They should be able to keep each other company.

Ive kept a number of them and have never had a problem with them nipping clam mantles or stony corals. I see its says they can nip clam mantles on live aquaria but ive never had a problem, nor had i heard of them eating clams before reading. Personally i would say that fish will be a great addition.